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Cummins out of IPL with another back injury

Pace ace Pat Cummins has become the latest casualty of Australia's disastrous tour of South Africa after pulling out of the Indian Premier League with a back injury.

Cricket Australia is erring on the side of caution with the star fast bowler, who has developed hot spots in his back after bearing a heavy workload during the series against England and South Africa.

The injury is not understood to be serious but there will not be any risks taken with Cummins, who has a long history of back-related problems.

With batting lynchpins Steve Smith and David Warner out for 12 months after the ball-tampering crisis, Australia can ill afford to lose any of their first choice quicks if they are to be competitive while their former leaders are out.

It is unclear if Cummins will be available for Australia's next assignment - a one-day international series in England which, until Smith's and Warner's suspensions, was being seen as a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup.